Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association
500 Country Hills Blvd. #725 Box 38017 T3K 5G9 Calgary, AB, Canada

Here’s what stakeholders are saying about Alberta’s Crown land Vision that will guide government’s approach to managing provincial Crown land. Albertans are bei...ng consulted on various initiatives. Share your thoughts by completing the survey by January 15 2021 at https://bit.ly/33pmQJ3 Vision: https://bit.ly/33ne5iK

2021 Memberships are currently due. The cost is $25/year. All funds go directly to trail maintenance in Clearwater County. We are so excited to see some new faces in the trees! If you require a membership form please provide your email address via PM and we can get you set up.

Even in the winter, you can only camp for a maximum 14 days at a time on public land before you and all your camping supplies and unit must leave the area. If y...ou are issued a random camping notice or asked to vacate by an officer, you will be given up to 72 hours to relocate. You must follow the instructions on an officer in the Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ). Please plan accordingly and know your location-specific regulations. Find out more about PLUZs in Alberta at: www.alberta.ca/public-land-use-zones.aspx. Please follow all existing public health measures: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

Winter can be an incredible time to explore our province, but it’s a lot different from summer recreation. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe on your win...ter adventures: Plan your trip around the sun for warmth and daylight. Snowpack can hide the trail. Pay attention and know how to use a map. Dehydration expedites the onset of hypothermia, so stay hydrated. Wear layers and bring appropriate footwear like crampons or microspikes. Carry the 10 essentials: https://bit.ly/2FHzCd8 Know your limits and do your research before you go. A photo on social media doesn’t tell you the experience and knowledge that went into it. Check avalanche conditions before you recreate in the mountains: www.avalanche.ca. Visit our Winter Safety webpage before you go: https://albertaparks.ca/wintersafety/.

Wishing everyone a very Safe and Happy 2021! #newyear #motorcycle

"Learn from industry experts, advocates, and practitioners about how to collect and apply trail count data, and how to leverage that data in order to achieve meaningful, tangible changes in your community. https://atvbc.ca/why-are-trail-user-counts-important/

The simplest stewardship action is to pick up a piece of litter. While it is preferred to pack it in and pack it out, we know this doesn’t always happen. For ma...ny years, Grande Prairie Jeep Club has been instrumental in cleaning up the dunes. See some of the treasures they’ve found - https://open.alberta.ca//alberta-stewardship-stories-dunes. #ThrowbackThursday Share your stewardship story with us on the Outdoor Recreation Channel to have it featured - https://talkaep.alberta.ca//sur/submit-a-stewardship-story

NOHVCC Offers Education Messaging To Those Who Rent ROVs NOHVCC has created a webpage with educational messaging aimed at renters of ROVS. If you know of any RO...V rental companies that could use this messaging please pass this article along. The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), a nonprofit public benefit organization primarily funded by MIC, SVIA and ROHVA exists to create a positive future for OHV Recreation. To further this mission NOHVCC, as a national body of OHV recreation enthusiasts, develops and provides a wide spectrum of programs, materials and information, or tools, to individuals, clubs, associations, and agencies. Read more... https://www.nohvcc.org/nohvcc-offers-safe-and-responsible-/

Wishing you and your families a Very Merry Christmas & a Healthy, Happy New Year!

If you’re camping in the off-season, it’s important to check for campground dates and available services before you go. Here are some important differences: S...elf-registration may be in effect Dress in layers Be prepared for all kinds of weather Reduced services in campgrounds You may need to bring firewood You may need to bring potable water A full list of open campgrounds is available here: AlbertaParks.ca/Fall

Moving water takes longer to freeze than still water. The turbulence stirs the water, keeping the entire water body at a consistent temperature. When the water ...does freeze, it freezes inconsistently so some parts of the ice are thicker than others. River water levels can also fluctuate, sometimes resulting in a layer of ice sitting over a layer of air. Rescues are also more dangerous - if someone does fall through the ice on a river, they can quickly be swept under the ice and downstream. Make sure you’re aware of dangerous conditions and be especially careful if you’re thinking of venturing onto river ice. See more

This year, many Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held virtually, but our respect and gratitude is real. Please donate to the Poppy Fund if you can. #remembranceday #remembranceday2020 #GetYourPoppy #lestweforget2020

Stay safe & have fun https://www.facebook.com/goridingcanada/posts/165790281864989

Don’t get lost in the woods. Use guidance from our Public Land Use Zones maps: Print them through Open Publications Download them onto your phone through the Avenza Store, or Visit the Outdoor Recreation Channel for interactive trails maps https://open.alberta.ca/publications

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry have crews have made huge progress on the Devil’s Head wildfire since last Monday. Favourable weather conditions and the action...s of ground and air crews have aided in keeping the fire contained. The wildfire has been downgraded from Out of Control to Being Held. The MD renewed the State of Local Emergency earlier this morning. With the positive change in the weather and fire conditions, along with discussions with AB Agriculture and Forestry, the MD terminated the Declaration of the State of Local Emergency at 12:05 P.M. on Monday, October 12. Residents are no longer required to be on notice for evacuations. Thank you to all the residents for your attention and support during this wildfire event. Robert Ellis Acting Director of Emergency Management MD of Bighorn #8

The Devil's Head wildfire is now classified as Being Held. Given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expecte...d boundaries. The fire showed minimal behaviour and no new growth today. Agriculture and Forestry crews continued to extinguish hot spots by pump, hose and hand tools, supported by helicopter bucketing. Heavy equipment continued to clear helipads to allow access to remote areas. Tomorrow firefighters will continue to extinguish hotspots, supported by helicopters with buckets as required. The containment line is 100% completed as of today. Tonight, rains showers and wet flurries are expected and will continue into in the next several days with higher relative humidity. Tomorrow, cooler temperatures are expected and winds will be diminishing. The wildfire size has been updated from 3624 ha to 2416 ha today. This reflects areas that were non-vegetated or unburnt within the perimeter of the fire (note that size is the perimeter, and not all areas within can burn or carry fire due to the rocky, mountainous terrain). Resource Summary: 119 firefighters, 1 Airtanker, 10 helicopters, 20 pieces of heavy equipment Another wildfire was discovered on October 11th and is located 500 meters from the Summer Village of Ghost Lake. The wildfire is burning towards the lake and no values are threatened at this time. Firefighters are making good progress, working towards extinguishing the wildfire. Be advised that smoke will be visible from nearby communities. Resource Summary: 12 firefighters, 4 helicopters, 1 wildland engine

Weather in the fall can be unpredictable. Plan for the potential to encounter all four seasons and maybe even some unexpected wildlife, like bears, coyotes and cougars. Go through this checklist to make sure you are prepared. https://open.alberta.ca//outdoor-recreation-checklist-for-

The fire showed some growth within the perimeter last night due to windy conditions, however no containment lines were breached. Today, Agriculture and Forestry... crews continue extinguishing hot spots and reinforce containment lines in priority areas, supported by helicopter bucketing and the airtanker if required. Heavy equipment will also continue building a guard. The fire status remains out of control, with an estimated size to 3624 hectares (note that size is the perimeter, and not all areas within can burn or carry fire due to the rocky, mountainous terrain). Residents are still asked to remain prepared for evacuation if that becomes necessary. Resource Summary: 122 Firefighters, 12 Helicopters, 1 Airtanker, and 20 pieces of Heavy Equipment Photo Courtesy of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

REPORT ON PLANE CRASH TRAILS, YORK CREEK TRAIL WORK 2020 SEPT 21 TO OCTOBER 06 During the above dates, a number of our members volunteered to begin work on the... York Creek Plane Crash Trail Project. Using the Cat Mini Hoe, the machine was put to use, by removing the old narrow bridge off the York Creek Road, and replacing it with an engineered manufactured 60-foot-long, 73 inches wide new bridge. This project took two days to complete. General trail maintenance followed on the trail towards Sartoris Road, with proper drainage, and fixing very dangerous portions of the trail. Deep ruts were filled in and water diverted from the trail. and general grooming of the trail. We then went back across the new bridge and took the alternate trail back to York Creek Staging Area draining water holes, and making new diversions for water to get off the trail. We also removed dead trees which had built up by one of our bridges. The last day we went to the southeast end of the Willoughby Trail and fixed very dangerous ruts, and again diverted water off running down the trail into the forest floor. The actual cost in kind (benefit) to the Government is calculated as follows: Fuel, Grease etc $ 250.00 338 Volunteer Hours X $15.00 per hour: $5070.00 96 CAT Hours X $150.00 per hour: $14,400.00 60-foot steel bridge $24,000.00 Total: $43,720.00 We would like to thank, all the volunteers who worked on both projects. We feel that this is a great partnership with the Government of Alberta, helping restore bad areas damaged by erosion and use, making better and environmentally friendly trails, bridges over water and making them safer. We received a number of positive comments from passing OHV and hiking users on the trail. We also wish to thank Christine Sweet and Hal Jeske from the GOA Blairmore office for their help, expertise and guidance on these projects. Gary Clark, President of the CNP Quad Squad.

Operations have ended for the day. The wildfire showed minimal activity today as weather was cooler than forecasted. Agriculture and Forestry crews continued ex...tinguishing hot spots on the east perimeter, supported by helicopter bucketing. Helipads were prepared to help crews access areas of the fire in difficult terrain. Dozers continued establishing a guard along priority areas. The status remains out of control, with an estimated size to 3624 hectares (note that size is the perimeter, and not all areas within can burn or carry fire due to the rocky, mountainous terrain). Residents are still asked to remain prepared for evacuation if that becomes necessary. Resource Summary: 122 Firefighters, 12 Helicopters, 1 Airtanker, and 18 pieces of Heavy Equipment Photo Courtesy of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

A Forest Area Closure remains in effect for the Calgary Forest Area during wildfire operations. The forest area closure is located from the east boundary of th...e Banff National Park to Highway 40, and extends north from the south Ghost river to Township 29. Under a forest area closure, access is limited to individuals authorized by permit to enter the area. Permits are issued by the local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry office, and can be requested by calling 403-297-8800. www.albertafirebans.ca

Clearwater County is beautiful and outdoor exploration is a great thing. In fact, we encourage it. However, when visitors are uninformed, their exploration can ...become detrimental to the land, wildlife and other visitors. Remember, the great outdoors are not self-cleaning. If you pack it in, you pack it out. Leave no trace. For more information, please visit www.clearwatercounty.ca/backyard.

Please be advised that the wildfire danger rating for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is VERY HIGH. A fire restriction is now in place for portions of the ...Rocky Mountain House Forest Area. The restriction applies to the east border of Jasper National Park and extends west to Hwy 734 (Forestry Trunk Road). Under a restriction: Prohibited - Wood campfires on public lands, including backcountry or random camping areas - Fireworks and exploding targets (without written permission of a Forest Officer) Allowed - Safe wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds - Should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to - Be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire - Have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving - Have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas. Municipalities, parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements. - Portable propane fire pits - Gas or propane stoves and barbecues designed for cooking - Indoor wood fire - Open flame oil devices *All appliances (such as barbecues, stoves, heaters and portable campfires) must be CSA approved or UL certified. The restriction will remain in place until conditions improve. Off-highway vehicles can start wildfires - check frequently to ensure hotspots are free of debris, and make sure mufflers and spark arrestors are working properly. Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again to ensure it is extinguished. Please visit www.AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected area. For more information, please contact 1-866-394-3473.

Due to wildfire, certain public lands within the Ghost Public Land Use Zone and adjacent to Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park are closed to the public. Find the latest information, including the closure area and the fire ban status here: https://albertafirebans.ca/

ATV riding on Vancouver Island is better with club membership! Insurance discounts, increased riding area access, friends and fun! https://atvbc.ca/membership...-options/ Alberni Valley Hill Climbers Campbell River ATV Club Comox Valley ATV Club Cowichan Valley ATV Club Mid-Island ATV Club Sooke ATV Club

The upcoming Great Trails Workshops in Richfield Utah have been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience and we will be working with Utah State Parks OHV Program to reschedule these trainings next spring.